Monday, November 26, 2012

TRUMAN CAPOTE'S "A CHRISTMAS MEMORY" IS A HOLIDAY READING

THE THOMAS DARLING HOUSE

Take
an historic and charming Colonial homestead, add a traditional
sentimental tale of the holidays, top if off with tasty sweets and you
have a triple-decker family treat. Thanks to the creativity of actress
and director Joanna Keylock, you have the delightful opportunity to
start the happy month of December off with sparkle and spirit.

On
Saturday, December 1 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 2 at
5:30 p.m., you're invited to attend the staged reading of Truman
Capote's "A Christmas Memory," at the Thomas Darling House, 1907
Litchfield Turnpike, Woodbridge. The house, built in 1772, which is on
the National Register of Historic Places, includes a beautifully
restored building, barns, carriage shed, chicken coop, pig house and
privy, and is an ideal location for this country tale. Written more than
five decades ago, this short story, which is largely autobiographical,
tells of a seven-year old boy named Buddy and his relationship with an
elderly woman, Sook, his best friend and a distant cousin, and the joy
they share giving gifts during the holiday season.

All year long
they save their pennies, selling blackberries and flowers and doing odd
chores, so they can bake thirty fruitcakes, laced with whiskey and
stuffed with pecans, for everyone they know and like and even for some
they don't personally know but still like, such as President Franklin
Delano Roosevelt. Since Buddy lives in a home where he is unloved, he
searches out affection from Cousin Sook and the two develop a special
and close relationship that lasts until her death. Their Christmases
together mark the best time of the year.

For tickets ($15 adults,
$10 children), email jojokeylock@yahoo.com or call 203-298-0730. The reading will be followed by
holiday treats, hot chocolate and spiced cider. A portion of ticket
sales will benefit the Woodbridge Historical Society and Sunday's
performance will benefit the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Usher
in the holidays with Truman Capote's memories of Christmases in the
1930's and the woman who brought him so much joy and love, especially
when she announced "It's fruitcake weather."